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Oct 27, 2011 15:44:09 GMT
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Am I the only one who was soiling myself the first time I drove solo then? First half an hour out of the way and I was a typically cocky 17 year old though. ;D
Remember, you are mortal, Corsas do not handle well and that it is now that you strta to learn to drive. All the test proves is that you can operate the machine to a reasonable standard. Learn to look a long way ahead (and behind), leave plenty of room and don't get impatient with other road users.
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Oct 27, 2011 15:56:34 GMT
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Nope, I was the same. That said, the brakes failing whilst pulling into a petrol forecourt that also had a Honda delearship (with a row of a dozen or so brand new S2000s outside) didn't help...
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Oct 27, 2011 16:25:51 GMT
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Thanks for sharing your tips and tales.
I've put in for some time off work next week to drive as much as poss. And have P plates waiting to go on, did any of you use them?
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Oct 27, 2011 21:07:36 GMT
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I dropped off some friends from college on my first drive out without an instructor. It was all good as one of the other guys in the car could drive so it was like being out with my parents. Of course I'd not thought through the implications of dropping them off. Suddenly I found myself a fair way from home, with no real idea of the route back, no map and needing fuel. Handled it like a boss though, drove into a petrol station through through the exit, parked in a spot where there was no parking, bought a map, then drove to a pump and bought petrol, then went back in again to pay for said petrol. Took a few deep breaths, checked map and drove home... so proud I made it back alive. 1.1 litre Metro, eventually the exhaust gave up the ghost and I moved onto a Ford Sierra that tried to kill me on a fair number of occasions,.. good times.
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bortaf
Posted a lot
Posts: 4,549
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Oct 27, 2011 21:24:12 GMT
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I can only give you the same advice i got off my instructor on the way back after i passed my test. "you've just just learnt how to pass your driving test now go and learn how to drive! " Just remember although it feels like you are, you are NOT a god and you ARE mortal
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R.I.P photobucket
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Oct 27, 2011 22:02:27 GMT
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the hardest thing to learn is to anticipate what others are going to do. Talk to people who have driven for a while. Dad mum workmates etc.They will point out common things they see and anticipate. e.g. I always look under the front of a stopped bus as I approach the rear wheel. If I see feet I brake! Kids riding bikes over zebra crossings. (BTW never brake hard ON a zebra crossing ) On the motorway car road position change quite often gives away what a driver is going to do. Overtake brake etc always stay alert and never, never, never stay in the middle lane of the motorway. ggggggrrrrrrrrr!!!!
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Oct 27, 2011 22:44:23 GMT
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I only passed back in Ferbruary so I'm still fairly cautious. Apart from when I'm not. The main thing is to take your time. Don't worry about people behind you getting impatient, that's their problem. The particular advantage to being in the car on your own is if, for example, someone honks at you because you're taking your time pulling out of a junction, you can tell them to go curse word themselves out loud without complaint from anyone else. I find this helps ;D
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1989 Peugeot 205. You know, the one that was parked in a ditch on the campsite at RRG'17... the glass is always full. but the ratio of air to water may vary.
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speedy88
Club Retro Rides Member
"Nice Cortina mate"
Posts: 2,296
Club RR Member Number: 118
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Going solospeedy88
@speedy88
Club Retro Rides Member 118
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Oct 27, 2011 23:01:36 GMT
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In my first 2 years of driving I got to drive my mum's KA which, quite frankly, I thrashed. I used what I thought was good judgement (It wasn't) and didn't ever really fudge up badly. The problem with this car was that KAs handle really really well. I couldn't see what all the fuss was about and would casually enter roundabouts at 40mph for fun. Not until I bought my first car (knackered dizzle fezzer) and my second car (below) that I realised not all cars handled quite so well. It's only now I've gotten my new car (5 years driving now) that I can confidently control something again. But tbh it's dangerous, I not longer feel on edge and I've already diff'd it in plenty of places I wouldn't dare diff the old one.
Moral? Buy a really crappy handling car to scare you into submission.
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Last Edit: Oct 27, 2011 23:02:34 GMT by speedy88
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So today was the first day behind the wheel of my car on the public highway. 40 miles thus far 16 solo. And I was fine, even did national dual carriage way limit.
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Last Edit: Aug 23, 2020 17:27:31 GMT by autoverse: Removed dead link.
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First day rememberings - put my mums R4 up a verge trying to light a fag ( They don't teach you how to do that), then nearly burned the clutch out sitting in traffic, then a couple hours bouncy bouncy on the back seat with the girlfriend of the time. Good times.
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'83 GTM Coupe. 4A-GE Powered '00 GTM Libra Auto. Ick. '71 Detomaso Pantera. Current Resto '89 GMC Safari Tow/Kip bus '05 SAAB 9-3 Daily '71 Siva Moonbug. Not even contemplating resto yet.
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Didn't pass until I was 31 but, on the day of the test, didn't drive that day, was buzzing my tits off. Instead did a photo series of ceremonial burning of the L plates off my own car. Next day, went shopping, did my first motorway with the GF in the passenger seat (Had already done 2000 miles with her while learning anyway), then after the weekend, drove on the motorway on my own to get to work. Nearly 11 years later, and I have still yet to have any accident or booking. I reckon if I had been 17, it wouldn't have been like that. I still do sometimes have the instructor voice in my head, especially if driving somewhere unfamiliar, and do get told I occasionally drive like a new driver (obeying the law, using the handbrake and mirrors etc), I take it as a compliment. Guys I used to work with called me Captain Slow, but strangely, even though I obeyed town speed limits, when ever a group of us went anywhere as a group in seperate cars, I always seemed to arrive at around the same time, even though they would race and blast everywhere.
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I eventually got myself a mini about 6 months after passing my test and not driving at all in that time. Was a bit nervous to start with but got there in the end. I also didn't realise that a mini was the only car that would go around a 90 degree corner at 60mph. Although one day there was something waiting around the corner.
Thing that always stuck with me was when someone said "Contgratulations, you now have a licience to kill............"
Kind of puts it in perspective don't it!
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1980 Derby GLS 1992 Rover 216 Gti - Sold 2006 Hilux - Sold (boo hoo) need a 2wd pickup. Anyone? 2009 Avensis Tourer - Gone 1993 Mk1 Golf Cabby 1983 mk1 golf. Project rust bucket 1998 Toyota Corolla. Project crash repair 2007 Volvo V70. Daily for sale!
Looking for a winter project - any suggestions?
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